"Keep the Aspidistra Flying" Characters Analysis

"Keep the Aspidistra Flying" is a satirical novel written by George Orwell that delves into the life of the protagonist, Gordon Comstock, a struggling poet and bookstore assistant in 1930s London. In this character analysis, we will explore the various characters and their roles, traits, backgrounds, relationships, and character arcs.

List of Characters

Role Identification

1. Gordon Comstock: Gordon is the central character and serves as the protagonist of the novel. He is a disillusioned poet who despises society, capitalism, and the trappings of materialism. He struggles to find his place in the world and battles with his own artistic integrity.
2. Rosemary: Rosemary is Gordon's girlfriend who works as an advertising copywriter. She represents the typical working-class woman who dreams of a stable life and financial security. Rosemary's character provides a contrasting view to Gordon's disdain for conventional success.
3. Ravelston: Ravelston is a wealthy friend of Gordon from his school days. He has embraced the capitalist system and enjoys financial security. Ravelston serves as the voice of reason and acts as a catalyst in Gordon's life, challenging his ideals and aspirations.
4. Mr. McKechnie: Mr. McKechnie is Gordon's boss at the bookstore where he works. He represents the typical middle-class employer who values profit and conformity. His character reflects Gordon's frustration with the capitalist society and the compromises he must make to survive.
5. Julia: Julia is Gordon's sister, who lives a comfortable lifestyle due to her marriage to Philip Ravelston. She constantly encourages Gordon to abandon his dreams and conform to societal norms. Julia's character represents the conformist values that Gordon rebels against.
6. Philip Ravelston: Philip Ravelston is Julia's wealthy husband and a successful advertising executive. He is portrayed as an embodiment of the capitalist society that Gordon despises. Philip's character highlights the compromises people make to achieve financial security.
7. Mrs. Wisbeach: Mrs. Wisbeach is Gordon's landlady, who represents the struggles of the working-class. She is compassionate towards Gordon and empathizes with his plight. Her character provides a sense of community and support in Gordon's life.

Character Descriptions

1. Gordon Comstock: Gordon is described as a tall, thin man in his late twenties with unkempt hair and a perpetually grumpy demeanor. He exudes a sense of disillusionment and frustration, which is reflected in his scruffy appearance and obstinate attitude.
2. Rosemary: Rosemary is portrayed as an attractive young woman with blonde hair and a cheerful demeanor. She is often seen in fashionable clothes, representing her desire to fit into societal expectations of beauty and success.
3. Ravelston: Ravelston is described as a well-groomed, affluent man with refined manners. He dresses elegantly and exudes confidence and charm, symbolizing the allure of the capitalist world that Gordon rejects.
4. Mr. McKechnie: Mr. McKechnie is depicted as a middle-aged man with a thinning hairline and a conservative appearance. He dresses in formal attire and carries himself with an air of authority, embodying the conventional middle-class values that Gordon despises.
5. Julia: Julia is described as a refined and stylish woman who embraces the comforts of her upper-middle-class life. She dresses in fashionable clothing and exhibits confidence and poise, representing the social expectations that go against Gordon's rebellious nature.
6. Philip Ravelston: Philip is portrayed as a handsome and successful man, dressed impeccably in tailored suits. He exudes an air of self-assurance and sophistication, contrasting sharply with Gordon's disheveled appearance and disdain for material success.
7. Mrs. Wisbeach: Mrs. Wisbeach is depicted as a plump and motherly figure. She wears simple, practical clothing, signifying her working-class background. Her warm and caring nature is reflected in her demeanor, which offers a sense of comfort to Gordon.

Character Traits

1. Gordon Comstock: Independent, idealistic, rebellious, cynical, stubborn, creative, disillusioned.
2. Rosemary: Practical, materialistic, optimistic, supportive, conformist.
3. Ravelston: Wealthy, rational, ambitious, influential, persuasive.
4. Mr. McKechnie: Conventional, practical, demanding, profit-focused, unsympathetic.
5. Julia: Conformist, pragmatic, persuasive, manipulative, traditional.
6. Philip Ravelston: Wealthy, successful, persuasive, confident, opportunistic.
7. Mrs. Wisbeach: Caring, compassionate, understanding, practical, supportive.

Character Background

1. Gordon Comstock: Gordon grew up in a middle-class family, where his father was a successful businessman. He attended university but dropped out to pursue his passion for poetry. His disillusionment with society and capitalism led him to live a meager existence, rejecting material comforts.
2. Rosemary: Rosemary comes from a working-class background and works hard to achieve financial stability. She dreams of owning a house and is willing to compromise her artistic aspirations to conform to societal expectations.
3. Ravelston: Ravelston comes from a wealthy family and has enjoyed a privileged upbringing. He excelled academically and embraced the capitalistic system, working in advertising. Ravelston understands the compromises necessary for success and strives to help Gordon find his own path.
4. Mr. McKechnie: Not much is disclosed about Mr. McKechnie's background, apart from him being the owner of the bookstore where Gordon works. He embodies the middle-class values of profit and conformity that Gordon rebels against.
5. Julia: Julia comes from a middle-class background and married into wealth through her relationship with Philip Ravelston. She encourages Gordon to abandon his artistic pursuits and conform to societal norms.
6. Philip Ravelston: Philip is from a wealthy family and has successfully carved a career in advertising, amassing fortune and success. He represents the embodiment of the capitalist society, which Gordon renounces.
7. Mrs. Wisbeach: Mrs. Wisbeach has a working-class background, and her role is limited to being Gordon's supportive landlady. She offers guidance and solace, representing the working-class community that Gordon longs to connect with.

Character Arcs

1. Gordon Comstock: Gordon starts the novel as an embittered and disillusioned individual, rejecting societal expectations and material comforts. Throughout the story, he experiences various challenges, confronts his own ideals, and learns the value of compromise. Ultimately, Gordon discovers that true artistic integrity can coexist with the realities of life.
2. Rosemary: Rosemary's character arc revolves around her desire for stability and her willingness to compromise her artistic ambitions for financial security. However, she also shows glimpses of understanding Gordon's resistance to conformity, and her relationship with him forces her to question her own aspirations.
3. Ravelston: Ravelston's role is primarily to challenge Gordon's ideals and provide a contrasting viewpoint. He serves as a source of support and guidance, encouraging Gordon to find a balance between his artistic principles and the practicalities of life.
4. Mr. McKechnie: Mr. McKechnie's character remains relatively static throughout the novel, representing the capitalist system and the compromises that Gordon must make to survive.
5. Julia: Julia's character arc highlights her attempts to persuade Gordon to conform to societal norms and embrace material success. She represents the conformist choices that Gordon rebels against.
6. Philip Ravelston: Philip's character arc is indirectly related to Gordon's journey. He tries to persuade Gordon to embrace material success but ultimately fails to convince him. Philip's character serves as a reminder of the compromises Gordon resists.
7. Mrs. Wisbeach: Mrs. Wisbeach's character remains consistent throughout the novel, providing a sense of stability and support for Gordon. Her role contributes to the development of Gordon's character arc.

Relationships

• Gordon and Rosemary: Gordon and Rosemary's relationship showcases the tension between Gordon's rebellion against societal norms and Rosemary's desire for stability and security. Their conflicting aspirations add depth to the story, forcing Gordon to question his own beliefs.
• Gordon and Ravelston: Ravelston acts as a mentor and friend to Gordon, challenging his ideals and encouraging him to find a balance between artistic integrity and practicality. Their relationship represents the clash between idealism and realism.
• Gordon and Mr. McKechnie: Mr. McKechnie represents the oppressive forces of capitalism that Gordon battles against. His relationship with Gordon demonstrates the compromises and challenges faced by individuals who reject societal norms.
• Gordon and Julia: Julia's character represents the conformist choices that Gordon resists. Their relationship is fraught with tension as Julia tries to persuade Gordon to abandon his artistic ambitions in favor of societal acceptance.
• Gordon and Philip Ravelston: Philip Ravelston, Julia's husband, represents material success and serves as a foil to Gordon's rejection of societal expectations. Their encounters highlight the contrasting paths chosen by the two characters.
• Gordon and Mrs. Wisbeach: Mrs. Wisbeach's relationship with Gordon offers warmth, understanding, and a sense of belonging. She represents the working-class community that Gordon longs to connect with, providing a haven from the harsh realities of his life.

In conclusion, "Keep the Aspidistra Flying" presents a diverse cast of characters who contribute to Gordon Comstock's journey of self-discovery and struggle against societal expectations. Each character adds depth and complexity to the story, highlighting the tensions between artistic integrity, capitalist society, and the compromises individuals must make.